America's Trotting Classic
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AMERICA’S TROTTING CLASSIC Hambo Insert.indd 1 7/16/20 11:51 AM STEADFAST LEADERSHIP cast of thousands has contributed to write the his- Atory of the Hambletonian. While a small group of trotting horse breeders conceived of the Hambletonian and got it launched in 1926, moving forward has required the support of breeders, owners and trainers of the thousands of horses nominated to the 95 editions of the race. Over almost a century, one of the keys to the Hambleto- nian’s success has been the dedication of a small group of sportsmen who made the grand trotting race a high ideal. An important development in 1925 was the formation of The Hambletonian Society. The Society continues to own and operate the Hambletonian and over the years its mem- bers have never wavered in the support needed to keep the race vibrant. The 95th Hambletonian will mark the 40th edition of the in Du Quoin, Ill., and when the time of year for the Ham- race held at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. The bletonian came around, fields of corn served as an appro- race moved there in 1981 after a persuasive proposal from priate backdrop for the race held at a state fair. The warm the operator of the Meadowlands at the time, the New Jer- hospitality of the Hayes family, which owned the fair at the sey Sports and Exposition Authority. The pitch to bring the time, was only exceeded by the heat and humidity of late Hambletonian to New Jersey was supported by influential summer in southern Illinois. horsemen Delvin Miller and Billy Haughton and the New Many questioned if racing the Hambletonian in the Jersey governor, Brendan Byrne. shadow of New York City would work. But as promised by In the tradition of leadership set by those before him, to- its pitch, the Meadowlands was up to the task, creating a day Jeff Gural, a passionate breeder and racehorse owner, fair atmosphere in Paddock Park and at the same time of- operates the Meadowlands and continues to present the fering air-conditioned comfort and fine dining inside the Hambletonian with a mix of the race’s fair roots and so- five-story grandstand building. phistication, all while one can look out over the track and One constant since 1939, wherever the race has been see the Manhattan skyline. held, is the large Revere bowl that serves as the Hamble- Weather, the Great Depression, World War II, and now tonian trophy. Over the years the Hambletonian trophy in 2020 a worldwide viral pandemic have threatened the has been presented by governors and celebrities to owners Hambletonian and become part of its history. from all over the United States, Canada and even Europe. The race’s first host, the New York State Fair in Syracuse, The unique silver trophy was originally permitted to did not have an all-weather track, so when it rained day travel with the winning owner. That added to Hambleto- after day in late August 1927, and again in 1929, the clay nian lore as some owners threw celebratory parties and racing surface became a quagmire and the race had to be permitted their guests to drink champagne from the bowl. postponed and moved to Lexington, Ky. Today the Revere bowl stays on display at the Mead- The Hambletonian’s years at Good Time Park in Goshen, owlands until Hambletonian Day, except for a few special N.Y., spanned World War II. The first Hambletonian con- appearances, such as a photo shoot with winning trainer tested at Good Time Park took place in 1930 and the track’s Jimmy Takter holding it aloft in his swimming pool after owner, Bill Cane, quickly became known for his promo- winning with Trixton, and on more than one occasion a tional zeal. In 1943, however, there was nothing Cane could baby being held while standing inside the bowl at a press do about wartime travel restrictions so reluctantly the race conference. was moved to the Empire City Thoroughbred track near And on many a hot summer August afternoon in New New York City—now Yonkers Raceway. Jersey, the winning horse has taken a well-earned drink Three months to the day after Germany surrendered to from the Revere bowl, which may be the most elegant water end World War II, Titan Hanover won the Hambletonian bucket a horse could have. Winners receive at Good Time Park. His owner E. Roland Harriman was replicas of the trophy, a gleaming memory proudly in the winner’s circle but his nephew and partner of their victory in one of America’s longest on the colt, Elbridge Gerry, was away serving his country. and greatest sporting traditions. The Hambletonian was moved to the Du Quoin State Fair Hambo Insert.indd 3 7/16/20 11:51 AM RENO BAUER arry Reno was a man full of en- “I propose we call it the Hambletonian Hthusiasm and ideas. He had never Stake,” Bauer said. “The trotting breeding owned a trotter or pacer himself, but he today is a Hambletonian breed. There is knew something about the sport of harness no other name in the trotting world that racing through his brother-in-law, noted means so much.” breeder Warren M. Wright. Bauer was right. The coarse bay stallion Reno believed harness racing needed big- Hambletonian, who was owned by Wil- HERVEY ger jackpots on the stakes schedule to com- liam M. Rysdyk, had come into the world mand the attention of the sporting public. in 1849 when there really was no specific America was experiencing economic pros- trotting breed—just a patchwork quilt of perity after the Great War and Reno felt the horses which showed some ability to trot. sport needed to create a few bonanzas. When the offspring of Hambletonian began Reno envisioned a race for 3-year-old to race in the 1850s and ’60s, the rival male trotters with a guaranteed purse of at least lines were soon swept into oblivion. They $50,000, perhaps even more. One day in simply could not compete with the descen- 1923 Reno was in the downtown Chicago dents of Hambletonian, who spent offices of The Horse Review, then the lead- his entire life in ing harness journal. Publisher John Bauer Orange Coun- and noted writers Joseph Markey and John ty, N.Y., about an Hervey were helping Reno with his propos- hour’s drive from al. They had examined every aspect of how New York City. THE BIRTH OF A CLASSIC A OF BIRTH THE they could make this stake into the biggest Hambletonian in the sport, a race that would attract na- was never raced, tional attention, serve as a proving ground although he was ex- for the best horses in America, and stimu- hibited on the trot late breeding. and showed speed When seemingly all the details were re- and gait. The success solved, Bauer met with Markey, Hervey of his offspring in- and Reno and asked what the race should creased the demand be called. Several names were suggested for his breeding ser- but quicky discarded. Hanging above Bau- vices and he ultimately er’s desk was a portrait of the great stallion sired more than 1,000 Hambletonian by artist Robert Dickey. It foals. MARKEY served as an inspiration for Bauer. Hambo Insert.indd 4 7/16/20 11:51 AM been a steady patron of the sport, It cost $960 to start a horse in the immediately upon learning of this Hambletonian, with the final entry big event, I purchased six addition- fee $500. Interest in the race exceeded al yearlings with a view of entering expectations as 626 nominations were them in it,” noted Wright. “The gen- received. tleman whose colt or filly wins the One other detail had to be deter- Hambletonian will have every reason mined before the inaugural race. to feel proud, and I am going to make Where would it be held? Many locales every effort to be that party.” were considered based on their abil- Wright eventually won the Ham- ity to draw and accommodate a large bletonian, al- crowd. though oth- Bids were accepted from prospective er owners hosts, a tradition that has continued purchased even throughout the history of the Ham- more horses in bletonian. Three bids were opened on their attempts New Year’s Day 1926, and Joe Markey to win the in- announced that Syracuse, the home of augural edition. the New York State Fair, had been cho- By 1900, the Hambletonian line When Walter sen. Kalamazoo, Mich., and Atlanta, dominated trotting with only a Candler of At- Ga., were the other bidders. Syracuse few vestiges of the other male lines. lanta, Ga., heard was awarded the Hambletonian after These rival lines were ultimately ex- about the new offering to pay $8,000 for the privilege tinguished by the superiority of the race for trotters, of hosting the race, with the “hosting Hambletonian offspring. he purchased all fee” added to the purse of the race. Now that the race had a name, of the available From its inception in 1926, the would it have the support of the yearlings—19 Hambletonian has remained the most people in the sport? total—by the coveted prize in harness racing. Reno reviewed his concept with a leading trotting variety of people in the sport. sire Peter The “Their enthusiasm and optimism Great. quite overwhelmed me, and I con- A managing fess that I have a pretty fair brand of committee was it of my own,” Reno said.